William p



(No Model.)

W. F. KIROHJHR.v

GRAPPLE.

No. 834,667 AL Patented Jan. 19, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VVILLI'AM F. KIROHER, OF GOVINGTON, KENTUCKY.

GRAPPLE.

SEECIFICATI ON forming part of Letters Patent No. 334,667, dated January19,1886.

Application filed October 26, 1885. Serial No. 180,946.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. KIRCHER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Covington, Kentucky, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Devices for Lifting Packages from Shelves, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for lifting cans or other packages toor. from elevated shelves in stores and elsewhere; and it consists inthe utensil for thispurpose herein described and illustrated, embodyinga handle provided with a pivoted clamp of two pivoted members, anactuating spring, and rod.

In the drawings accompanying and forming 7 part of this specification,Figure l is a front view of my device complete, the clampingjaws beingin form adapted to seize a cylindrical can or similar article orpackage. Fig. 2 is a partial side view of the device as applied to a canin the act of lifting it to or from a shelf; and Fig. 3, a plan view ofthe clamping-jaws as applied to a cylindrical package.

Referring now to the drawings, Adesignates the handle of the implement,which may be of any convenient length, and B B the fixed and movablejawsof a clamping device, pivoted together at p and secured to the end ofthe handle by screws or otherwise by an extension b of the fixed memberB.

In the present illustration the two members are arc shaped, and providedat their ends and at corresponding points near the butt-end of thecurved fingers with studs for holding suitablev friction pads, a a a a,preferably of rubber. The butt-end b of the movable jaw is also extendedbeyond its pivot 19 to afford actuating connections for a coiled spring,S, attached to the handle A, and a controllingrod, R, extending thencedown the handle A in a suitably-formed guide-slot, and terminating in aloop, 0, for its manipulation.

The jaws B B, with their extensions and studs, may be made of cast-iron,preferably malleableized, and attached to a handle of wood.

The operation is as follows: The clamp por- (No model.)

tion of the utensil is lifted to a can or package, O, standing upon ashelf, D, for example, and the jaws B B spread apart against the forceof the spring S by pushing upward the rod R until the jaws clasp the canor package laterally, as indicated in Figs 2 and 3, when the rod R isreleased and the spring S permitted to act in closing the jaws upon theobject to be lifted. The pads a constitute the holding-surfaces, and bytheir frictional con- The device will be found of great conven ience instores and various other places where cans or packages of goods are tobe placed on or removed from shelves above ordinary reach.

The spring S is preferable but not absolutely essential.

The device may be constructed entirely of metal in some cases, where,for example, it is to be used in pottery-kilns and similar situations.The spring may be so attached also as to hold the jaws normally openpbutI prefer the arrangement shown. The friction-surfaces a a may also bemade continuous upon the inner edges of thejaws, if desired.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States The improved lifting utensil embodying in combination thepivoted jaws B B, provided withinner frictionsurfaces, preferably ofrubber or similar elastic material, the handle A, spring S, andactuating-rod R, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM F. KIRCHER.

Witnesses:

L. M. HOSEA, O. D. KERR.

